St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-06

ameter. Leading into 1t from the bot
tom are the feed pipes, and at the top
are the pipes where the hot water enters
and returns by the cold water pipe. At
taehed to the stove, out of
the way and almost hidden from
sight, is the safety device. which ex-
tinguishes the fire in the stove. puts out
the car lamps and applies the air brakes
to the car-and the whole train for that
matter-the instant the car tips over or
receives a violent shock. Connecting
with the stove is compressed air reSer-
voir of welded piping, which is con-
Stantly filled with air at pressure of
seventy-fve pounds to the square inch.
the air being supplied from the air
brake on every train. The valve to the
air reservoir. which is connected with
the stove and lamps by small pipes, is
kept closed by the pressure of an eight
pound iron ball, supported on pivot
held in position by spring. Any heavy
jar, such as collision or the car leav-
ing the track, releases this iron ball and
it falls to the floor, thus opening the air
valve. As soon as this valve is opened
the air rushes in in blast, blowing out
the flame in the stove, extinguishing the
lamps and applying the cir brakes: and
at the same time stopping by means of
valves in two places the flow of oil
from the fuel tank outside the car. This
tank is of three-inch copper, and the
whole car could be knocked to atoms
without one drop of the fuel being
spilled. The time used in extlnguish-
ing the fire in the stove, putting out the
lamps, applying the air brakes to every
wheel on the train and shutting off the
fuel supply is less than two seconds, so
it will at once be seen that no one could
be burned to death i'll case of an acci
dent.
The first test was made at the trial
yesterday when the train was near
Single creek, running about twelve
miles an hour. The car lamps were
burning brilliantly, the stove was send
ing such heat that the gentlemen in
the car had removed their OvercOats and
were wiping the perspiratiOn from
their brOws, when Mr.. Young walked
up, gave the big iron ball
a little push and chug, the
lamps went out, the fire i'll the stove
ditto, and the air brakes were applied so
forcibIy that the train came to dead
stop inside of fifty feet. The sudden
ness with which the whole thing was
done caused some to think that the train
had gone into a tunnel and then run
/
peated several times, and so successfully
that all, even decidedly skeptical rail-
road man, who had laughed at the de-
vice, were soon praising it. Next fly
ing switch was made, and the ball
pushed off its supporting pivot. The
same result as before followed, only the
single car stopped in less than twenty
five feet, as there was no engine pulling
it along. The device was tested in
every possible manner and gave pleas
ing results every time. The air blast
was used on the lamps and brakes alone,
after disconnecting it from the stove,
but it worked to the salts
faction Of the most critical. Mr..
Steele and Mr.. Young explained
the thing in detail so clearly and mi
nutely that man with any knowledge
at all could not help but understand it.
Gasoline was used at the trial, and it
was stated by Mr.. Steele that a thankful,
thirteen gallons, would run the stove
and heat the car forty-eight hours at a
less cost than coal could be procured.
The water reservoir needs refilling
about once in ten months or year, as
the reservoir and water pipes are per-
fectly tight and no water escapes, except
hat Observation-Disclosures thatwi always
disappear, no matter how tight the COM
partment in which it is confined may be.
The invention is fully covered by a
patent. Four railway companies have
already ordered the plant put in their
cars and many more are now consider
ing the matter. One especial feature of
the device is this: In case the middle
car in long train should be derailed,
the lights in the other cars would not be
extinguished, nor would the fires in the
stoves be extinguished unless the ears
should meet with some heavy shock.
The air brakes would be put on all the
cars, however.